A journey in which you used public transport

IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card 472 with Model Answer:

Describe a journey in which you used public transport.

You should say:

• what type of public transport you used
• when it was
• where you were travelling 

and explain how you felt about this journey.

[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

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Model Answer 1:
I do not have the luxury to use a private car or a private jet whenever I plan to travel because we neither own a car nor a jet! So public transport is our only means to commute or travel to a distant place. However, not all journeys on public transport are equally pleasant. Some are comfortable and I tend to remember such pleasant journeys. I would like to thank you for this nice topic and share one such delightful trip that I made on public transport - more specifically on a train.

I took this journey with three of my friends around five months ago. It was perhaps early April this year when we decided to travel to a famous coastal city in our country which happens to be one of the most famous tourist spots in our country. As planned, we made the journey at the beginning of May. On a sunny and bright day in early May, I, along with my friends, went to the train station and took our scheduled train to make the journey.

The coastal city that we were heading to is called "Marina Coast" and it was at least 400 kilometres away from our hometown. This coastal city has so many tourist attractions and options for adventure that there is hardly any person in our country who had not visited this place at least once in their lifetime. We have heard about its marvellous spots and its lively activities but had never been there. So we decided to make the journey.

We could have taken the air route but it would have been much more expensive for us. So we decided to take the train. The train journey that we made was so enjoyable and comfortable that I can easily certify it as one of the most satisfying journeys that I have ever made. The train arrived on time - the first sign that it was our lucky day - and then it started its engine on time as well. We got a nice bogie where we were only six people instead of being in a roomful of people. After a while, the train started to move faster but it was so smooth. I was listening to my favourite music while also enjoying the natural beauty from my window.

The experience was breathtaking. During our journey, the train stopped at two stations where we left the train and enjoyed some local delicacies. The next morning we reached our destination which was another lovely surprise for us. Overall, it was a great journey on public transportation.

Model Answer 2:
I would like to talk about a journey I took on a bus when I was travelling to visit my friend in a neighbouring city. The journey was quite memorable for me as it was my first time travelling alone on public transport.

I took a local bus which is the most common type of public transport in my city. I had to wait for around fifteen minutes for the bus to arrive at the stop. Once the bus arrived, I got on board and showed my ticket to the conductor. The bus was clean, comfortable and air-conditioned which made the journey quite pleasant.

The journey was approximately 60 kilometres, and it took me around an hour and a half to reach my destination. The bus took a route that passed through some of the most beautiful scenery I had ever seen, and it was quite an experience. I was able to enjoy the view and relax during the journey, as I didn't have to worry about driving or navigating.

Well, I felt quite positive about the journey. Although it was my first time travelling alone on public transport, I found it to be quite convenient and hassle-free. I enjoyed the experience of seeing new places and travelling through scenic locations. It was a great opportunity to be more independent and self-reliant. I would definitely consider using public transport for future journeys.